The View From Prospect Hill for the week of Feb. 22

As members of a community, it’s important to maintain a momentum of progress and development, especially in the impressionable minds of adolescent children. That’s why we at The Somerville News extend our support to events that feature children’s achievement.

Whether it’s a science fair, school play, or a few hours of undivided attention from a stable, nurturing adult, these interactions promote a student’s self-worth. This confidence ultimately leads to independence of thought and action.

A student’s freedom to choose her own course of life – be it the sports team on which she plays, the clothing she wears, or the food she eats – provides the necessary foundation for a bright future. As much as Somerville youth should depend on their elders for guidance, we should exercise restraint in the scope of our advice.

The school lunch menu demonstrates a perfect example of putting classroom principles into practice. The health curriculum, with the help of funding from the Physical Education for Progress grant, educates students in the drawbacks and benefits of certain choices. Yet the cafeteria continues to serve a blend of wholesome and not-so-wholesome options.

It’s in everyone’s best interest not to force choices onto young people. After all, not all of them will repent to the merciful fat police, just as not all of them will end up on the crime page in The Somerville News.

We commend the Somerville Public Schools for serving French toast sticks alongside fresh fruit. Childhood obesity is one problem. Over-parenting is another. For now, let’s leave the wheat germ-and-granola-with-flax seed crunch muffins to the people who actually enjoy eating them.